Summer in Massachusetts ~ Women's Academy for International Leadership Development

     Being a part of WAILD**, the Woman’s Academy for International Leadership Development, truly acted as the academic turning point in my life. Taking place on the Mount Holyoke College campus in South Hadley, MA, WAILD gave me just a glimpse of what life at an all-women’s college would be like; it brought women from not only all around the country, but China as well, under the same roof. We spent a month together during the summer living the Moho life; taking classes, working together to solve world problems, walking around campus, eating at Blanchard, and even traveling throughout New England. It was a completely new opportunity that I had never experienced before; the idea that other students were not sources of competition, but rather, each separate entities that would supply me with new lessons about myself and those around me, and that only by working together could we change the world to be a better place. I began to realize that I had been going about academics the wrong way throughout my public schooling. Learning is not about knowing more than the person sitting next to you, but perhaps, accepting the idea that the person next to you knows more than you do, and that it is your responsibility to learn from them. WAILD was the turning point in my life, the opportunity that allowed me to see outside of the conventional walls of the stereotypical college experience, with images of life on a large, co-ed campus acting as my blinders. 
      I am so lucky to have had the chance to be a part of this amazing summer program. WAILD made me realize how passionate I am about not just all-women’s schools, but Mount Holyoke itself. I can say full-heartedly that it is because of WAILD that my senior year was my most successful year yet, as my inspiration for consistently working hard was centered on the idea that Mount Holyoke was the only school at which I could see myself attending. After just one week at WAILD, I remember calling my mom on the phone, completely overjoyed with the realization that Mount Holyoke was absolutely the only school for me. If it hadn’t been for WAILD, for the amazingly close friends that were made, the countless ridiculous laughs that were had, the inspiring and unforgettable lessons that were learned, I would not be here today, as a proud member of the Mount Holyoke Class of 2017. I am forever grateful for having WAILD in my life; it transformed me into a learning scholar, a hungry traveler, and developing uncommon woman. 

**WAILD was a college prep program for high school girls that took place in summer of 2012 on the Mount Holyoke College campus

Cassidy, Massachusetts. 

“Fresh beauty opens one’s eyes wherever it is really seen, but the very abundance and completeness of the common beauty that besets our steps prevents its being absorbed and appreciated. It is a good thing, therefore, to make short excursions now and then to the bottom of the sea among dulse and coral, or up among the clouds on mountain-tops, or in balloons, or even to creep like worms into dark holes and caverns underground, not only to learn something of what is going on in those out-of-the-way places, but to see better what the sun sees on our return to common every-day beauty.” – John Muir in The Mountains of California

Laughter is the Best Medicine ~ TravelnStudy in Disney

"Travel challenges truths that we were raised thinking were self-evident and God-given. Leaving home, we learn other people find different truths to be self-evident. We realize that it just makes sense to give everyone a little wiggle room.” — Rick Steves in Travel as a Political Act

5 Highlights of Studying Abroad:

     Spending a semester in Paris was one of the most memorable and greatest experiences I’ve had. This journey offered new unique delights, challenges and opportunities for growth, which have irreversibly shaped me and my future paths. When asked about my favorite part of studying abroad, unsurprisingly, I cannot pinpoint any one single event; rather, studying abroad is about a treasure chest of experiences, many of which may be commonplace events and learning to appreciate what each can offer. Regardless of where study abroad takes you or what your own goals are, studying abroad is a unique opportunity for exploration and growth that will bring many surprises, and perhaps, help you to better understand yourself. From my own collection of memories, I would like to share the following 5 highlights of my study abroad experience:

1.     Immersion in a foreign culture: A key way in which study abroad differs from travelling is that study abroad allows you to fully immerse yourself in your foreign country. Rather than trying to cram in visits to typical tourist sites, you can slowly integrate yourself with your surroundings and community. Simple everyday encounters, such as chatting with the vendors in the local market, can offer fresh insights into the culture and build into meaningful experiences. Additionally, integration into the local culture can also have wondrous effects on improving your foreign language skills.

2.     Freedom and independence: Studying abroad also affords a unique sense of freedom and independence that may be quite different from what you are used to at home. On numerous occasions, I would hop on the metro with my roommates and take a midnight stroll along the Seine River – a breathtaking and liberating experience! With freedom and independence, of course, also comes different responsibilities. In my program, students had to find housing on their own, which meant figuring out how and what type of housing to rent, negotiating with landlords or rental agencies and making prospective visits. Additionally, effective budgeting became crucial for keeping track of daily expenses, such as groceries and other household expenditures. 

3.     Exploring beyond your comfort zone: Being in a foreign country, especially during the first few days or weeks, can be quite daunting. At the same time, however, the unfamiliar surroundings, different customs, and complete strangers are an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and take on challenges. Without the comforting familiarity of home, you may be surprised by what you can learn about yourself as you explore your new environment, take risks, and meet new people.

4.     Travelling to new places: One of the main advantages to studying abroad in Europe (especially the Schengen Zone), is that it allows you to readily visit neighboring countries. Whether over a weekend or during a longer break in the semester, it is very easy to do some tourist sightseeing or backpacking in a nearby country. The numerous available international buses, trains and flights also facilitate travel within Europe, making it inexpensive and accessible.

5.     Coming Home: Lastly, a valuable outcome of studying abroad is that it can allow you to better appreciate home. This doesn’t necessarily require a sense of homesickness; rather, studying abroad can be like taking a long breath of fresh air, which helps to gain new insights about the home awaiting you. In addition to appreciating the small details you might have never noticed before, upon your return, you may also find that your study abroad experience has transformed your perspective on many former familiarities in surprising ways.

    Judy, Paris 

Semester in Ireland ~ Sublime

      One semester doesn't seem like such a long time, right? but 5 months is longer than I had ever been away from home in my entire life. I have been grappling for days with how I could write an article that in any way sums up my experiences. There just doesn't seem to be words for it, short of writing a novel. My time in Ireland was a summation of those rare moments where your breath is completely taken away. I did a study on some of the writings of Edmund Burke, and in his Philosophical Inquiry into the Origins of our Ideas of the Sublime and the Beautiful, he states that, when faced with something sublime, our minds are temporarily wiped clean, then filled with the immensity of what we see, and forced to grow and expand in order to accept its existence. This, to me, is the best way to describe my experience. My semester abroad forced me to re-evaluate my entire life, in the best way possible. I no longer accept things for what they are, I push for bigger and greater experiences, because I know that they are out there. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and maybe they are the words I just cannot seem to find, so here is one of those moments that caused my heart to skip a beat, and my world to be re-imagined.

Cathryn. 20, Galway

5 Important Things You Will Learn About Yourself From Studying Abroad

1. You learn to appreciate the little things.

Suddenly, you find your senses much more in tune with all of the quaint little details of modern life. The smells wafting from the bakery down the street seem that much more enticing, the children holding hands walking down the street look that much more joyful. When you're in a new place, you notice these little things more than you ever have bothered to before. 

2.  You take a lot more of your mother's advice than you ever thought you would. 

When you're out there on your own in a foreign country, suddenly mom's warnings to "bring an umbrella in case it rains" or "make sure you wear a jacket so you don't catch a chill" seem to make a lot more sense. In other words, you learn that you know how to take care of yourself without anyone throwing you reminders. 

3. You have a better sense of direction than you thought you did. (or at least you can sort it out eventually)

Many of us who grew up in small towns have never actually truly been lost. This is one fact that studying abroad will definitely change. The thing is, you learn that being lost is not always the worst thing in the world. You will discover that there is always someone willing to give you directions, or a map you can examine, or a bus you can hop on, or, suddenly you will turn that last corner and find yourself exactly where you wanted to be. Believe it or not, getting lost is one of the beautiful mysteries of studying abroad. It teaches you to be resourceful, calm and learn to trust your instincts.  

4. You do not actually mind being alone. 

If nothing else, studying abroad will teach you that one of the most perfect ways to explore is when you are totally alone. It eliminates any need to move at a quick pace to please others, and allows you to meander and finally duck into that little shop you have been rushing past for weeks. Wandering alone does a lot to eliminate the hustle and bustle of modern life and let you relax into your own rhythm. (Now of course this isn't to encourage you to wander out alone on your first day, let yourself get familiar with the place first, and then when you know the limits and how to stay safe, go for it!)

5. Maybe the place you came from is a lot more beautiful than you appreciated before you left. 

When you study abroad, you will see a million different things. Many will be breathtaking and perfect, but not all of them will be good. In my time, I definitely learned to appreciate the elegance of my own home. The comfort of your own bed is something to be treasured every night, and the joy of being around your family is something never to be forgotten. That being said, maybe, like me, you have to go abroad to truly appreciate those things. 

 I suppose going abroad cements who you are as a person. It introduces you to sides of yourself that you never knew existed, but also brings you full circle to appreciate and love where you came from even more deeply. I would not trade what it has taught me for anything. 
~ C. 20, Galway. 

One Year in New York City ~ Finding Joy on a Budget

"Living in New York is too expensive. You'll never survive with a minimum wage job." 

If I was asked to quantify the number of times I'd heard that statement in the last year, I would not be able to. I have spent the last 12 months of my life thriving in New York City all on a salary of $250/week. I have taken advantage of tons of free programs NYC has to offer: free museums, musicals, movies, concerts, and even meals. As I write this, I am waiting in line to score free tickets to Shakespeare in the Park, an annual production run by a small theatre company in the city that brings Shakespeare to the masses at a beautiful outdoor theatre in Central Park.

My entire life isn't filled with free things and visits to the park, though. There is the obvious bad stuff our parents always warned us about: panhandlers on the subway, getting lost in unsafe neighborhoods, and even a small run-in with the cops in one of the aforementioned neighborhoods, I wouldn't chance my late night subway rides home from work for anything in the world. I wouldn't trade the homeless man in my neighborhood who sits in front of McDonalds for anything. These people-the undesirable aspects of city life have shaped my New York experience. I am much more thankful for the 500 sq ft apartment I share with three other girls, I am more thankful for the chicken and rice I am making for dinner tonight. I am infinitely more thankful for the stepping stone job I recently left, because a job is a job, and this job happened to pay my bills and gave me a little bit of wiggle room too. It hasn't been easy, but I've made it. A whole year on my own. Apart from my parents and from anyone I've known for more than two years. I'm home.

~Kristina, 20, NYC